Woody Wu LMFT

As an immigrant, I spent my childhood in Taiwan and Japan before coming to Western cultures. This, I live with intertwining identities. I find that living with multiple ways of being (cultures; languages; values) makes it impossible to fit into a box. This can lead to a creative and interesting way of life; it can also be difficult to feel a sense of belonging and community. My journey is about growing and healing, finding community, and aligning with my inner vision of how I want to live this life: with love, with clarity, with fullness. “Where do I come from, Where do I belong, and Where am I going?” are the living questions I bring into this work. I believe therapy is a creative, evolving, and meaningful way to help us live a deeper and fuller life - with all the ups and downs, feeling lost, then finding direction - and ultimately, understanding ourselves and aligning with our inner calling. I'm here to help you align with your inner calling.

To me, therapy is a creative, empowering and enlivening process. Each session is an opportunity to explore your life and try out new ways of being. A mentor once told me that "we are contextual beings": who we think we are, how we feel and show up depends on our environment and what it reflects back to us. The therapeutic space is one where you are supported to be who you WANT to be. This may be inspired by your intuition, creativity, dreams, longings, and struggles; even our most painful experiences can motivate us to change and be a fuller, truer version of our Self. I'm here to help you honor your journey.

I currently offer video or phone sessions, and nature therapy sessions (phone-accompanied) that can include exercises with art and ritual. I use talking, visualization, ritual, art & imagery to help you create the life that you want to live. A few elements of my style include: Relational - I bring intention and care into our therapeutic relationship to make this a supportive time & space for you. Real - I am real with you about my personal experiences and what I observe in our work together. This way you receive honest reflections intended to support you and where you want to be. Multi-dimensional - I take in multiple facets of who you are, including your identities, upbringing & past experiences, social & environmental influences, thoughts & emotions, physical well-being, dreams & visions, connection to nature, and your intuitive Spirit: what it knows, and what it longs for. Creative - therapy is a creative process! YOU get to bring in the flavors, topics, and requests for what you would like in sessions. In turn, I bring my creativity in how I explore topics with you, including different exercises. Humor, laughter and creativity are highly important in the healing and growth process - as we inhale, so we exhale; as we cry, so we laugh.

• California, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, 126440

I especially welcome BIPOC clients and have worked with diverse groups of people in various settings, including: -Adults and teens in private practice -Youth of Color in Oakland schools (CA) -Restorative Justice with incarcerated men at San Quentin State Prison (CA) -BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) from various cultural backgrounds My work is supported by my experience with people from various walks and ways of life, including my personal relationships - from those well-resourced and able to pay out-of-pocket for therapy, to those experiencing varying degrees of systemic oppression and struggling to survive in their environment. This helps to relate to a wide range of perspectives and lived-experiences.